I know You are looking for a door that you can purchase and I understand why. However if you DIY you can get it done cheaper, Learn about the components and troubleshoot if anything goes wrong. At that point you can replace parts or fix the problem. With doors that you purchase, they often come a a single unit with a board you can't work on unless you are an electronics type person. If your were that person your won't be here. No insult intended.Thanks for the advice! Yes, I would be interested in the links you have about DIYing.
Thank you!
With that said.
What cavemanrich said is spot on. Full discloser I have never owned a commercially produced chicken door. I have tho repair and replace some of these doors.
His top pick the ADOR1 and ones like seems to be the best type of door on the market. Easy to install and program. Many videos on installs and programing. The cons are that again, it is a "one piece" unit. Unrepairable it this get messed up with the controller. I have read that their customer support is good but also read it was bad. This also has the issue of being mounted on the outside. I am not fond of any door that is mounted on the outside. All exposed to the elements.
His next example is one of my favorite types of doors. Either as a commercially sold kit or if you put it together yourself. They use a Linear Actuator that controls the door up and down at a slow rate. The way they are made and operate makes it very secure with no need for any type of latch or lock. Easy to insulate from lower temps.
Here again is where I have issue with the commercially produced units. The controller. Again, if it goes bad you can't fix it. an expensive replacement will have to be ordered.
However, the use of timers (there is a wide variety of them out there that can be used) can be vary easy to install, cheap, low cost can make it so you have spares on hand, maintained and replace easy.
And then there is the use of the SONOFF 4CHPRO3. Here is a link to some of the info I have posted on the unit.
Points.
Pros
- Cost is not that bad, depending on where you order from. Got mine for $31.24 from aliexpress and that includes shipping.
- Easy to mount.
- Easy to wire.
- Has four channels, two for door and two extras for lights and feeder or whatever else.
- Programming is not hard but not easy either. However with use you can get the hang of it.
- Google and alexa compatible so voice commends and be used.
- Programable for Sunrise and Sunset times for your area.
- Radio Frequency (RF) remote control can be used. Operate it with a key fob.
- Operating Temperature(recommended): -10ºC-40ºC(14°F-104°F). Can be insulated for lower temps but if placed inside you really should not have problems.
- You got me with diagrams and willing to help anyway I can.
- Needs wifi
Last I completely agree with cavmanrich about that swing out door. You mentioned bobcats and black bears. Well, Two Black Bears Kill Chicken, Destroy Chicken Coop In Bell Acres Borough, If they can flip entire coops over they can rip up that tin door with a tiny metal hinge rod. Those claws are like prybars not just "scredriver as a lever".
Well this got long winded. LOL. If you need any specifics I will give as much information that I can.